With the year about to come to a close, I thought I would get brutally honest with myself — and with you, readers — and evaluate my “New Year’s resolutions” column from this time last year.
Back then, I revealed four New Year’s resolutions and said, “by my calculations, with all the resolutions I’ve broken in the past, I’m due to make a resolution that will actually stick.”
Well, if you want to look at it literally, I’m a success — I made a single resolution that actually stuck.

Column as I see ’em …
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that judge-elect John Wayne Conway gave his opponent in November’s election the heave-ho as highway supervisor.
Chip Chambers, who opposed Conway, didn’t exactly endear himself to the cagy political veteran by posting numerous videos on his website that picked apart Conway’s 20 years as a magistrate.

We’ve come to a sad pass when unelected bureaucrats in Frankfort can mislead us in order to protect their little fiefdoms.
That government officials would make misleading statements (OK, lies) should not come as a shock. The interchangeable cast of characters in D.C. does so with regularity, including that costs would go down if the government “fixed” health care. If you don’t work for local government and pay for your own health insurance, please raise your hand if your premiums were reduced this year.
Didn’t think so.

There are times in life when it is OK, or even preferred, to want to be the center of attention. The day you are born, your wedding day, or maybe a high school or college graduation, for instance.
Friday, however, was not one of those days for me, but I stole the spotlight for a few minutes anyway.
Anyone who has ever visited our office or driven by it on US 127 knows we have quite a hill to climb to work each morning.

Well, we had a little weather. I’m still hiking up the hill. When the ice man cometh, he brings all kinds of challenges.
Shoveling an 800-foot drive by hand is not my idea of a swell time, but it does give you lots of time to think and appreciate nature. After all, it’s just a little water, and look at all the mayhem it caused.

This holiday season, please remember the homeless dogs and cats at the animal shelter.
While most of us are spending time with our families, these animals have no family, and no home, to call their own. Here are some ways you can help this holiday season:
Most pets that arrive at shelters and rescues are frightened in their new surroundings.
And sadly, many are forced to sit and sleep on hard cement floors that are hot in the summer and cold in the winter, since shelters and rescues don’t normally have the budget to supply soft bedding.